SJS Theatre presents Something Rotten! JR., the story of two brothers who set out to write the worldโs first musical in this hilarious mash-up of sixteenth-century Shakespeare and twenty-first-century Broadway.
Get Ready for February
The idea to bring Somethinโ Rotten to SJS first arose when Ms. Van Iwegen went and saw a production of the full musical in the Spring. โI had not laughed that hard at seeing a live show in years,โ Ms. V explains. โSo I brought it back to Mr. Walker and we decided to go with it.โ
The cast has been announced and rehearsals are already underway. With 29 students in the cast, and even more in the pit band and behind the scenes, the student-centered show promises to be full of energy, humour and some touching themes about the importance of family and self-esteem.
As Mr. Walker explains it, “Something Rotten! JR. is an intelligent, funny and heartwarming piece of musical theatre that breaks down classics with jokes that areย accessible to all.”
โThere is educational relevance to it,โ Ms. V adds. โNot only about the history of theatre in how it parodies musicals, but in its setting within the Renaissance.โ
The Story
Created by Grammy Awardโwinning songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick and successful screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick and John OโFarrell, Somethinโ Rotten is set in the 1590s and follows brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom. The Bottom brothers are desperate to write a hit play, but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.”
When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing, and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the worldโs very first musical. But amid the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.
Shows Begin in February
The production is taking place earlier this year. The performances of Something Rotten! JR. at Waterfront Theatre will be as follows:
- Thursday, February 25 at 7:00 PM
- Friday, February 26 at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, February 27 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
- Sunday, February 28 at 2:00 PM
As for why families should come see the show? โWe all like to laugh sometimes,โ says Ms. V with a smile.
Read the Press Release
โSomething Rotten! JR. features large song and dance numbers and a wacky cast of over-the-top characters, each given their own special moment in the show to shine. Throughout its Broadway run, the musical received a show-stopping standing ovation from audiences… at the beginning of the first act,โ says Drew Cohen, President and CEO of Music Theatre International (MTI) when speaking about this Tony-nominated show. โItโs become clear that โnothingโs as amazing as a musical,โ so donโt miss your chance to see this production,โ he adds.
Something Rotten! JR. has been adapted for performance by students under the supervision of Timothy Allen McDonald of iTheatrics. It is presented through special arrangement with, and all authorized materials are supplied by, Music Theatre International.
MIT works with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 100,000 professional, community and school theatres in over 150 countries worldwide.
Something Rotten! Jr. will be proudly presented with support from Annual Giving. Our communityโs support through Annual Giving helps us elevate student opportunities in the theatre arts. Thank you for helping our studentsโ talent shine! To learn more and to support opportunities like this in the future, please visit sjs.ca/support/annual-giving.
